Less Amazing

Contest Rules Win Some Less Amazing Swag!!!!!!!

2012-01-26T22:38:00.000-08:00

CONTEST TONIGHT!

2012-01-26T18:04:00.000-08:00

Get ready for the release of 2 new items on our webstore... we'll keep you all posted. Check back @ 10:00pm tonight!

Weekend Update: A New Year for Firsts...

2012-01-24T09:31:00.000-08:00

So... this weekend was one of the most eventful since the beginning of the Less Amazing rebirth. To all the chinese people reading this, you'll already know that its Chinese New Year, the year of the dragon. So my family and I decided to try a traditional Chinese meal. Now, I have always thought that I was pretty damn near chinese. Trust me if you've ever been to a Chinese restaurant with me you'll know that I always try to order new things you haven't seen and use my Chinese charms to get a discount from the old women that take orders. Well, we (and by we i mean my family and I/ everybody here at Less Amazing) were all wrong. This was the stuff that chinese people from China ate... stuff that Brennan the fake Chinese guy doesn't eat. However, I don't think that disqualifies me from my culture, especially since i actually recognized and ate two or three of the dishes...

Another event that happened this weekend, was a first for me. I attended my first fencing tournament that i did not actually fence in. This weekend, I was Coach Louie.

This is my gang of delinquents, we have a secret hand shake, team songs, and an original hand sign. No we don't have a name yet but for now we're Brennan's Brigade. My assembly of assassins or as I like to consider them Clan of Killers, did work this weekend and all got medals. The weekend started off with the Mens under 10 competition. My brother, Bryce "The Hunter" Louie, fenced his heart out and ended up winning the gold. The next day, Juliette took fifth after a rough first round in the Women's under 12 division. Now the kid standing next to me with the matching jacket is my younger brother Brett and he competes in the Men's under 12 division(and bryce does too..). So after a very rough start for the two, they came out of the first round seated eighth and ninth. Now if any of you know how brackets play out, we all know that in a bracket of 32, 8 and 9 meet each other meet in their second matches assuming they both win. And that happened. The two destroyed their first matches just so they could meet. They both had something to prove. This heated match went from sport to brawl, the two brothers were out for blood. What sucks is that despite how bad they both wanted it, one of them had to lose. Eventually, the two were tied, with one match to go. The final match went to 4-4. There were tears, screams of joy, and the loud beep of a fencing strip. Brett won. The big brother took the prodigy down. Brett went on to lose the next round, but he still got sixth. Despite all the drama I was very proud of my brigade.

Much Love,

BW (pronounced B-Dub)

P.S. Kak De La to my Russian homies! thanks for stepping your game up. Homies from Malta you guys are repping pretty hard!?!?!

To someone I'm thinking of...

2012-01-24T01:04:00.000-08:00

So I'm a bit of a closet singer. I know I'm no Buble but i like to think i am. So i wanted to dedicate a short medley to someone who needs a little encouragement and a little love. I just got back from fencing and this couldn't work. And after reviewing these songs, I swear i sound better in the shower.

To all those who are having a rough night...

Song!

But specifically one girl in La Jolla, named Jessica Leano...

I miss you...

Weekend wrap up postponed...

2012-01-23T15:59:00.000-08:00

I don't have the necessary pictures to show you guys how the weekend was... expect it by tomorrow morning! I'll see you than... thanks for your orders...

We have something new dropping very soon... peep the reveal next week.

feeling this track and this version of the track only...

What I Love About Less Amazing...

2012-01-20T15:00:00.000-08:00

So in one week, today is the official week-aversary to the rebirth of Less Amazing. And in such a short period of time we've made some huge strides.

In one week, we got 2000 views(which compared to our 200 views for the last two years, seems pretty sick).

In one week, we purchased our own URL and started consistently blogging.

In one week, we got more done than we did in 2 years.

In one week, we spurred an international interest in our brand.

USA- of course, we're based here... we wouldn't expect anything less from you guys. <3
Australia- Big surprise to me, I guess phillip is handling his buisness. Thanks to all the aussies
South Korea- Shouts to Chemistree, Jessica Yoon, Ed Boom, Kim for pushing us out there...
Germany- ANGEL & SIMI!!! Thanks for telling your friends about my brand you guys were actually 2nd until yesterday.
Canada- Keep it ice cold!!! We love y'all... we'll be coming out with some warmer clothing later on... ;)
BRAZIL!!!- Thanks to Thales for repping us!!! Hopefully you guys come out hard for this coming season.

Now maybe we can attribute this to just being more mature. Maybe its because we have cars now. But honestly it all comes down to our fam. Without you guys, we would be no where.

So here's a big thanks to the whole family. If I didn't give you a shout here it didn't mean that you didn't help because you probably are doing more work than me. I would thank each and everyone of you but than we couldn't give you all a preview of the actual baseballtee...

And that's all you get...

Much Love,
BW

Congrats!

2012-01-20T00:28:00.000-08:00

Good work tonight! The fam came out really strong. Special thanks to Peter, David, and Elliot! It really helps us get the word out. If i haven't dropped off the tshirts already than I'll be seeing you bright and early just to show you how committed we are to our family! Thanks and have a wonderful night!

Thanks to all of you who have helped us get back on our feet. In a week, we've had over 2000 views.

Keep your eyes our for the release of our spring season! Much love!

P.S. there's going to be a few changes to our website so keep your eyes open!

Victory contest!!! (free tshirt)

2012-01-19T18:54:00.001-08:00

Today was very successful!!! Who's feeling lucky? Mention less amazing in your Facebook status or tumblr post and if you get the most likes, you win a free coke tee!!!!!

The contest ends at midnight

Go like our facebook page (that's a link!) and win a free tshirt(maybe)!!!

BCB: Special Thanks! Why Brennan never washes his jeans...

2012-01-18T10:14:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the official release of the first piece to the spring line, The Opening Day tee. It was also the day we broke the record for pageviews. We got 510 views. Which sounds like a lot, but we still have a long way to go. So special thanks to all the family who posted us on their tweets,facebooks, and tumblrs. We can't get the name out without you guys.

A while ago, at the beginning of my "streetwear" days, I was really into true religions and Seven for all Mankind jeans. I thought they were cool mostly because my older sister said they looked cool. So I thought i was a boss and spent hundreds upon hundreds of dollars on denim that was rather mediocre and had a very persian feeling to them (no offense to persians). I also realized that someone within no only the school but someone within my classroom could have them if they were willing to spend the money. So, I was upset about not being an individual and yada yada yada...

In my later days of highschool and approaching college, I found raw/rigid/dry denim. Raw/rigid/dry is a term to describe denim that has not been washed or soaked by the manufacturer. Which usually results in a very dark indigo color and a very stiff or rigid feeling to the cotton. Now you maybe wondering, "Brennan why do you want to wear cardboard around your legs" the answer is simple. Jeans you are used to wearing have generic stress on them from washing and soaking, this tends to wear out the cotton, and thus last a shorter time. Raw/rigid/dry denim becomes a blank canvas and allows the wearer to in theory make their own marks for a one of a kind pair of jeans and after time, these jeans become so soft you can bboy in them(trust me I do it). So now I bet you're saying, "hey, brennan, you still haven't answered the question about washing your jeans." So after wearing your jeans, you get stress marks and fades and what not. Washing them takes away that away. Its basically a reset button for making your jeans look like they haven't ben worn for as long. I'd say washing raw denim takes about 6 months off of the wear and fades.

But yes... I got to go class starts soon... I'll talk to you soon

BW

Music: Doin' Something

2012-01-18T10:08:00.000-08:00

Probably something i want to dance to... Special thanks to the fam! We broke 500 yesterday lets keep it up. Blu's in the house!!!!!!

Release!: Opening Day Tee

2012-01-17T16:12:00.000-08:00

What's up you guys? BW here. And the wait is over. The first release from our spring line is now, up for presale. In lieu of our rebirth and the approaching beginning of baseball season, less amazing is proud to present our Opening Day Tee shirt.

The Baseball raglan features our new crossed palms crest on the front of the t-shirt and our diamond logo on the back.

Get them while they're hot.

Now Available on The Shop! (or just click the link)

Made of 100% cotton
Available in Small Medium and Large.

Front Back

Music Monday(late): Un-Common

2012-01-17T10:20:00.000-08:00

Common's new album "The Dreamer/ The Believer" is pretty dope. All the tracks are really dope and show common like I've never seen before. Peep it!

Before Class Blog!

2012-01-17T09:29:00.000-08:00

First off, I'd like to say congrats to the Rho class of the Pi Beta Zeta of Lambda Chi Alpha. For all you those who aren't affiliated and read the blog, it means congrats to the newly inducted members of my fraternity.

Welcome to the brotherhood!!! To all those whom i told this post was going to be about check back tomorrow. This one couldn't wait.

Secondly I'd like to thank all those who read my blog or just look at it when i ask them to help me make some money for my up and coming brand. Yes mom I'm using spell check.

So lets get to it.

Here's where I'm at.

This is Brian Puspos dancing to the song Rest of My Life by Kevin McCall. Though i have never been known as a Choreo head, I really really feel that this piece describes where I'm at right now. No i'm not dying like what the contents of the song imply but there some truth to the phases this song goes through that tell me where i am. Admitting weakness, accepting it, and telling those who care. And there's a point in the video(around 0:44) where he has his hands on his head and he's patting it. I just can't seem to get that out of my mind. Not sure why but it's the one part of the video that i'm hounding over i guess.

Check back later today for my weekend update!

A Dance Post.

2012-01-15T22:03:00.000-08:00

Choreo Cookies. Body Rock 2011

This piece kind of made me tear up a little bit. Anyways... These guys are the Choreo Cookies, one of the most renowned dance groups of the left coast. They have received honors in various competitions such as Vibe, Body Rock, Enkore, Maxt Out, World of Dance, Fusion, and many others. Choreo Cookies is based out of SD, California.(ayye)

Back to this piece. Let me just say, this is probably one of the best sets of 2011. They used one song, Ordinary People by John Legend.( go get it) This song has no beats that, one would hit in a orthodox song for a classic body rock set rather, it feature Legend playing the piano. The Choreo Cookies hit everything. All notes, A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K, ect. My initial reaction was "how." The musicality of the directors of Choreo Cookies is just incredible. They perfectly portrayed the song, no the feeling of being ordinary, having ordinary relationships, problems and how people can change. The spoken word in the beginning was a bonus that helped push the story. Overall a really good performance. Pretty Less Amazing.

My first post. I hope you liked it! :)

- TJ

Friday the 13th...

2012-01-13T10:03:00.000-08:00

So we all know that traditionally friday the 13th is a very unlucky day. I am one of the most superstitious people in the world(I'm wondering what todays adventures have in store for me). But this day is more than just a time where I avoid stepping on cracks and try not to cross streets that cats cross, its become a huge cultural icon at least in my generation. And because my generation grew up with parents that enjoyed these movies, I guess many of us saw them.

The most distinct friday the 13th inspired piece the LRG hoody which came out around the time bape lost its edge and more subtle brands became the "cool" thing to wear.

Its not the fact that, I'd shit myself if i saw a dude wearing this all zipped up on the street, that makes me dislike this hoody. It's the fact that i don't find the appeal of wanting to be a monster( and that i have a beautiful face that i don't want to hide).

Nike did their take on Friday the 13th too. Something i can agree with. It was a subtle and would make older folks on the bus cringe. It was just a pretty clean shoe. There were some really small details (something i love about these kind of ideas) like how the red parts of the shoes had a shininess to them that made them look like dried blood.

Now the Reebok Ers Race is one of my favorite shoes, the miami vice edition is the reason i started to love sneaker culture. Reebok consistently releases very detailed collaborations. In their take on friday the 13th(actually part of their halloween horrors release that included chucky and other villans) they paid homage to jasons mask on the heel and also did a specked blood print on the shoes heel.

Once again what sells me this idea is how its subtle and a layperson, seems like a shoe with polkadots. Its all about the details. All these items have been released already and are currently available for purchase. However, I've never seen someone actually wearing the reebok ones though so don't hold me to it.

Good luck everybody,
BW

Sale @ UNDEFEATED

2012-01-12T23:29:00.000-08:00

As a big Undefeated fan I was certainly excited to hear that they were having a sale. But then I was disappointed because I remembered that undefeated's definition of sale isn't really what my mind would consider a sale. For the last few months Undefeated has produced rather half ass sales (in reality its actually 15% but because tax is about 10%, so you really end up getting 5% off or so). There was the black friday 15% off shoes, Day after christmas %15 off select items, the new years 15% off store sale and now a sale that doesn't really disclose how much of a sale it is. And with their less than appealing Fall/winter 2011 season as the sale items, its not really a sale. But since how much of a sale isn't listed, i'm probably going to stop by their silverlake location(on my way to work out the details of the spring line), for all we know its gonna be like 50% off hahaha. Happy shopping!

Much Love,
BW

Rant: K-Swiss

2012-01-12T19:56:00.000-08:00

If you are about to read this, I will not be insulted if you walk away... Unless you are one of 5 Kswiss enthusiasts in the world and would like to firmly disagree with me, like hearing me complain about pointless stuff, or think i'm kinda funny, there's no reason to really be here. But if you are included in one or more of those categories please continue.

One of the "coolest" shoes of my childhood was "The Classic". It was California's tennis shoe. It was a shoe that had no label just like its diverse roots. From the trust funded preps to the crazy hood hoppers, everyone could rock a K-Swiss "The Classic". Frankly, I wore K-Swiss throughout middle school. The crisp white shoe would match anything and everything. The brand has been changing though. A while ago they took a really urban approach and did the "I Wear My K-Swiss Rap" that actually was pretty racially charged and filled with preppy californian's putting on fake "ghetto" accents.

Than they almost hit gold, they were just a little bit too early, and their target was a little bit too specific, and the thing they were sponsoring was a bit too difficult. They got into parkour/ free running... At the time, nobody really knew about free running and thought this was just a story about a stunt man doing tricks as he rushed to his Girlfriend's tennis match. Add that with the fact that, no shoe is going to ever make a fat kid feel like they can do flips and run fast... and you get the dismal failure of this K Swiss commercial.

After the bloody shambles of that parkour line finished, because my generation is just smarter than that, KSwiss produced, their best advertisements. The Kenny Powers series. They knew that i was around the time that my generation of kswiss wearing 90s kids grew up and knew they could not fly. They were trying to be edgy and to be honest, they were. Their Kenny Powers ad is actually pretty funny and their gimmicky "tubes concept" wasn't terrible. But lets be real here, I didn't laugh my way to the mall to buy some "tubes", Nike did gimmicky heels first, and the athletes they included weren't stellar/ barely recognizable(Rey Mysterio jr. is not included in the non-recognizable category).

And now, as you witness today, their attempt to "change the sports world" is failing. Now to the reason why I was inspired to go on this KSwiss rant. Yesterday I attended a focus group for KSwiss and their new line, "The Clean Classic" and I was surrounded by people who had no knowledge of the brand or fashion/shoes in general. And as a "shoe enthusiast" and someone who likes to know random stuff, I sat in that room and felt uncomfortable. See, the reason for a focus group is to get realistic commentary. What I'm saying is, you don't need to brown nose like its a job interview or like you may get more money if you sound the nicer than the other people. One person said, "they're edgy and nothing like i've seen from KSwiss before." But realistically it was the same KSwiss classic with a rubbery "fake leather" material instead of full grain leather. Another person said, "The red ones are really cute and I would totally wear them. I have never seen this color on a KSwiss shoe before!" However, it was once again a Kswiss classic with the same rubbery material, but it was red. And KSwiss has had a tendency to use classic american colors in every single line of their clothing and footwear. Those colors being: Red and Navy Blue. In a room full of people who seemed to be sold, I felt totally comfortable, speaking out and revealing the truth and history of the company. Im a tool, so i knew that all the shoes were the same things i've seen from Kswiss. I wasn't so mad at the shoes as i was the people i was working with.

There are no pictures of the new clean classic line... sorry!

HOWEVER, We were than told that they were collabing with J.Crew and my anger was gone. Their best decision of the day. They were going back to what they did best, creating a conservative, preppy, safe and (dare i say) Classic design. All the people around me felt so dumb... I walked out feeling like a champ for being right and $135 richer!!!

I guess we'll see If i'm write about how they needed to push the california lifestyle more and to push the preppy thing a little harder. The line is going to be release in the summer(good decision working that beach angle!)

So what did i learn?
1. When people told important CEOs of big companies are watching you as you talk about their brand people tend to spew bullshit. Everywhere.

2. K Swiss has established a reputation of being a classic shoe. They tried to become edgy and failed numerous times.

3. I'm stuck up and should not have been in that focus group.

4. I dislike people that talk about stuff that they have no knowledge of.

5. Do focus groups its easy money. If you don't have a job, or even if you have a job focus groups are an easy way to make a quick dollar. I honestly was there for about two hours and I can confidently admit that, I had a better hourly rate than any job i've ever had.

Much Love,
BW

Less Amazing Awaken...

2012-01-12T16:35:00.000-08:00

Even bears wake up from their long winter hibernation. People in Comas come back to...(don't hold me to that). Dave Chapelle came back from Africa. And Less Amazing is about to rise from the dead. Not in the ugly sort of lazy night of the living dead sort of way. But more so, the pace of that crazy fast zombie in 28 Days Later.

We all know the season after winter is spring, so you know that that means. MATING SEASON!!! and of course, baseball season too. So get ready. for the rebirth of the less amazing.

Less Amazing is still here!

2010-07-12T21:14:00.001-07:00

Don't worry, we haven't gone anywhere! Steady working and been busy but still here.
Stay tuned. We got a new summer tank in the works for you guys and let me tell you, it's nuts! Peanuts to be exact.

From sunny Los Angeles signing out.

The Roots - How I Got Over

2010-06-23T08:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday saw the release of the newest album by Hip-Hop super group, The Roots. Let me just say that I highly recommend this to anyone with is interested in music despite your taste in genres. The album is witty and the lyrics are intellectual. Artists featured on this album include Blu, Phonte, John Legend, and many others.

Songs like Dear God 2.0 are a great and refreshing experience in a time where Hip-Hop is just about the flyest whips, hottest chicks, and the amount of money in your pocket.

Go out and get this today. Support real Hip-Hop and true talent.

halfsharkalligatorhalfman

2010-06-20T21:29:00.000-07:00

That is all.

Schools Out

2010-06-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

Kids running around the campus with their yearbooks in their right hand and sharpies on the other. As the end of the school year approaches everyone is getting lazier in classes and just relaxing with the summer sun shining through the windows. Even the teachers hand out their last graded papers as well as collecting books from students. Brennan and I will be leaving LACES and headed to our universities. I am sorry to say LESS AMAZING will be over and never print again SIKEEEE!!!!!!!! Even though me and Brennan will be leaving LESS AMAZING will continue and print their shirts and grow into a huge company.

With the 7 years I have stayed at LACES I sure will miss it even though I say I wont miss LACES at all. From the friends, sports, Rice Breakers to colorful buildings. Oh and how can i forget the counselor's who are waiting to give students tardy passes and etc.

School is finally out no need to worry about the SAT's or other tests and yadda yadda. Lastly, I smile as I open my locker for the last time and walk down the green building. I see students throwing papers on the ground, yet at the same time those who are giving their last hugs and crying. Today was the "last" or the "last" in Highschool.

SEE YA LACES

LETS GO SENIORS 2010 REPRESENT!!!!!!!!!!!!

LESS AMAZING SUMMER LINE is going to be out soon so keep a look out for that!!!!!!

Happy Birthday G!

2010-06-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

Despite his best efforts to keep it "real Hip-Hop", our team leader, business partner, and brother, George Ramos is becoming a man. He is one step closer to becoming an adult and one step closer to the legal consequences of being an adult committing crimes. If you look at the boy's facebook, you can see his friends wishing him a happy birthday with the smiley faces and LOLs. I'm not going to do that...

GEORGE "Supreme G" RAMOS

To the times you've been there
To the times you will be there
To the times at high
To the times at low
To when we were small
To when we blow up
I dedicate this toast
To my Less Amazing CHUMP!

P.S. I would've bought you this cake but I'm not that cool of a friend...

Come Around My Way

2010-06-09T20:46:00.000-07:00

Many people of today do not know this dope Hip-Hop duo, and it's a shame since everyone should. Funky beats and nice rhymes means you cant go wrong. So come around my way to the golden era of Hip-Hop. Only thing I ask is...Where My Homies?

COW?

2010-06-08T18:30:00.001-07:00

To show appreciation for our customers, whom we consider family, we are starting COW: is the customer of the week. So wear your less amazing steeze or email us a picture of you in your less amazing steeze and we might put you up on the less amazing blog.

This is Andrew. He is the future of the Rice Breakers. Why is he our cow? Well, I'll tell you. He wore his steeze today and posed just as he was about to get on the bus.

Andrew is one of my favorite Hip-hop dancers and soon to be captain/ co-president of the rice breakers. Good luck Andrew!

He also wanted to invite you to the last cypher (June 9th @ LACES 11:30am-12:00pm in the dance room), where the senior rice breakers will have their last battle cypher. The LA crew will be there so, cop your steeze thursday(and be cool like Andrew).

Have a LESS AMAZING day,

B-Wayne